6 incredible road trips to take this fall
Come for the foliage, stay for the hikes, eats, and drives.
As a travel writer who used to live and write on the road full-time, I can attest that fall is my favorite time of year to hit the open highway. The kids are back in school, so crowds are low; temps are moderate, which means there’s no snow on the roads yet; and, depending on where you’re headed, there’s always the possibility of witnessing some truly incredible autumn foliage.
Below, six of my all-time favorite fall road trips that the U.S. has to offer.
A weekend drive through NY's Finger Lakes
Start: Syracuse, NY
End: Rochester, NY (or Syracuse, if you loop back)
Trip length: 3–4 days
Why fall is the time to go: In short, foliage—and tons of it. Not only is it the harvest season for the areas’ myriad vineyards, but also tens of thousands of hickories and sugar maples turn from verdant green to brilliant yellows and reds.
Three things not to miss:
- The Keuka Lake Wine Trail combines lovely fall colors with wine tastings at six vineyards, stretching from Hammondsport to Penn Yan.
- Set your alarm clock for a thrilling sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Finger Lakes region with Balloons Over Letchworth.
- When hunger calls, head to Nickel’s Pit BBQ in Watkins Glen, a quaint, historic town at the southern end of Seneca Lake, and the largest in the region.
The foliage photo op: Head to Watkins Glen State Park in early October to trek its moderate, 2.2-mile Glen Creek Gorge Trail. Stop at the Central Cascade for a shot populated with rock gullies, a rushing waterfall and, of course, fiery leaves falling all around you like confetti.
Key stops on the way
A week-long red-rocks road trip in Utah
Start point: St. George, Utah
End point: Moab, Utah
Trip length: 5–6 days
Why fall is the time to go: Summertime temps here can soar above 100 degrees, so come in fall to enjoy a more pleasant clime, uncrowded national parks, and red rock vistas on this designated All-American Road.
Three things not to miss:
- Prepare to be utterly awestruck by the views of layer cake red rock formations from the window seats at Kiva Koffeehouse.
- Creep, crouch, and crawl your way through the Peekaboo Slot Canyon with Dreamland Safari Tours. Or, better yet, spend a whole day on a guided 4WD adventure in Grand Staircase Escalante.
- One of the least talked about (and crowd-free) Utah national parks is Capitol Reef. Spend a day hiking Grand Wash and grabbing post-hike pie at the Gifford Homestead in Fruita.
The foliage photo op: Utah’s scenic Highway 12 is an excuse to skip the fall foliage in favor of striking sandstone escarpments. That being said, a 0.25-mile trek inside Capitol Reef will take you to Goosenecks Overlook, a phenomenal photo op at sunset.
Key stops on the way
A road trip through California’s scenic Eastern Sierras
Start point: Las Vegas
End point: South Lake Tahoe, CA, or Reno, NV
Trip length: 4–5 days
Why fall is the time to go: Not only is autumn the beginning of Death Valley’s (less scorching) busy season, it’s also when the quaking aspens and cottonwoods near Mammoth Lakes put on their fall coats.
Three things not to miss:
- Rise before dawn for sunrise at Zabriskie Point, then spend a day exploring both Badwater Basin (the lowest point in North America) and Golden Canyon.
- Trek the mostly flat, 2.5-mile Convict Lake Loop to see some of California’s best fall colors, and pitch a tent in its neighboring campground to marvel at the stars.
- One of the most well-preserved gold rush towns can be found at rustic Bodie State Historic Park. Wander the wooden ruins and wonder what life was like as an 1800s miner.
The foliage photo op: Circumnavigate the June Lake Loop in your vehicle and pull over to stretch your legs and nab a stunning photo of sky-high granite peaks near the Silver Lake Café.
Key stops on the way
A weekend on Oregon's Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway
Start point: Portland, OR
End point: Portland (loop back through Mt. Hood Village)
Trip length: 3–4 days
Why fall is the time to go: Every autumn, the bright yellows and oranges of dogwood and oak trees line the verdant corridor of the Columbia River Gorge, making it easy to capture fabulous photos from its many riverfront viewpoints.
Three things not to miss:
- Vista House, an Art Nouveau-style octagonal structure set atop a prominent cliff face, offers sweeping views to the west and east of the famed Columbia River.
- Pull over to feel the chilly spray and hear the roar of 242-foot Wahkeena Falls, and, if you’re feeling adventurous, leave the tourists behind on the three-mile, round-trip trail up to Fairy Falls.
- Make a reservation for an early dinner at Timberline Lodge, the historic hotel that inspired The Shining. Then, spend the evening watching the sunset from the glaciated slopes of Mount Hood.
The foliage photo op: Some of Oregon’s best fall foliage photography spots are also its most popular waterfalls. Take an all-day tour around the area’s incredible cascades, including stops to walk around at Latourell Falls, Multnomah Falls, and Horsetail Falls.
Key stops on the way
Road-tripping the byways in Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina
Start point: Asheville, NC
End point: Front Royal, VA (Washington D.C. is the nearest airport)
Trip length: 6–7 days
Why fall is the time to go: The Blue Ridge Parkway explodes into a frenzy of fall colors in mid-October, and this road trip combines that splendor with a less-traveled (but still stunning) byway through Shenandoah National Park. Those seeking some adventure alongside the views should tack on river rafting for autumn’s Gauley Season at the New River Gorge.
Three things not to miss:
- Encounter a magical, misty fairy forest and a gentle cascade at Looking Glass Falls. Want to learn all about the region’s fungi and plant life? This naturalist-guided tour from Asheville allows you to play outdoorsy student for the day.
- After traversing the Blue Ridge Parkway north for a few hours, turn off towards West Virginia to get your adrenaline pumping at Adventures on the Gorge. Weekends in September and October mark Gauley Season, one of the wildest whitewater events in the world.
- From WV’s charming town of Fayetteville, it’s easy to head back east towards Shenandoah National Park and its 105-mile Skyline Drive, which is far less crowded than its more famous Blue Ridge cousin to the south.
The foliage photo op: Check the official online fall color report at Biltmore and head to the lavish countryside estate when the time is right to tour its stately gardens and elegant trees. The vista near the statue of Diana makes for a great photo site.
Key stops on the way
A drive through the wonders of western Colorado
Start point: Durango, CO
End point: Steamboat Springs, CO
Trip length: 4–5 days
Why fall is the time to go: Enjoy cooler temps in the Four Corners region, steamy hot springs when the nights get frigid, and, of course, oodles of opportunities to pull over and savor the aspen trees putting on their seasonal show.
Three things not to miss:
- Evade the crowds and sweltering summer temperatures while learning about the area’s deep Indigenous history at Mesa Verde National Park. For an up-close look at the most impressive ruins, don’t miss the Cliff Palace Tour.
- Get into the gorge and feel the mist of a powerful cascade at Ouray’s Box Canyon Waterfall & Park. Afterwards, pull off the highway for lunch at Brown Dog Pizza in Telluride.
- Soak your tired, post-adventure bones in Avalanche Ranch’s view-filled hot springs pools or indulge in the newly renovated spa at the Four Seasons Resort Vail.
The foliage photo op: Near Ouray, right in the middle of the road trip, sits Imogene Pass, a secluded spot to witness the vibrant aspen groves from the rustic vantage point of a dirt road. Prefer a paved option? The Million Dollar Highway also features incredible aspen vistas.
Key stops on the way
